2 Jun, 2013
(edited)
2013-6-2 3:16:43 PM UTC
Edited by Kham�l on 2013-6-2 3:27:29 PM UTC
Edited by Kham�l on 2013-6-2 3:29:55 PM UTC
Edited by Kham�l on 2013-6-2 3:29:55 PM UTC
2013-6-2 3:16:43 PM UTC
I don't personally like the cover either & agree with Elwë in his assessment of its modern design, and perceived appeal. I've always thought it perilous to depict some of the characters in any great detail, particularly facially. Never liked illustrations depicting Hobbits.
That said, if you look at some of her other work (I don't think the calendar cover, for example, looks that appealing; but the black & white stuff she does are of a style I quite like [--see below]) you can see why they might have picked her to illustrate: nothing like Lee or Howe or Nasmith; female; British; etc. I like her depiction/focus on animals; so very apt for The Hobbit. I know not everyone is going to agree with this (& there are probably reasons why this hasn't happened), but I think a H illustrated by Ruth Lacon would have been good; her best work (in the bestiary style) is very, very good. I think it would have suited Tolkien's text well.
BH
That said, if you look at some of her other work (I don't think the calendar cover, for example, looks that appealing; but the black & white stuff she does are of a style I quite like [--see below]) you can see why they might have picked her to illustrate: nothing like Lee or Howe or Nasmith; female; British; etc. I like her depiction/focus on animals; so very apt for The Hobbit. I know not everyone is going to agree with this (& there are probably reasons why this hasn't happened), but I think a H illustrated by Ruth Lacon would have been good; her best work (in the bestiary style) is very, very good. I think it would have suited Tolkien's text well.
BH
Khamûl wrote:
I don't personally like the cover either & agree with Elwë in his assessment of its modern design, and perceived appeal. I've always thought it perilous to depict some of the characters in any great detail, particularly facially. Never liked illustrations depicting Hobbits.
That said, if you look at some of her other work (I don't think the calendar cover, for example, looks that appealing; but the black & white stuff she does are of a style I quite like [--see below]) you can see why they might have picked her to illustrate: nothing like Lee or Howe or Nasmith; female; British; etc. I like her depiction/focus on animals; so very apt for The Hobbit. I know not everyone is going to agree with this (& there are probably reasons why this hasn't happened), but I think a H illustrated by Ruth Lacon would have been good; her best work (in the bestiary style) is very, very good. I think it would have suited Tolkien's text well.
BH
I suspect that some of the reason for the new illustrations is to reinforce that the Hobbit is still a children's book, after PJs absolutely horrendous movies that don't appear to be aimed at any specific type of audience. It's a bit like having your cake and eating it, mind. Make the money off the movie tie-ins and then probably try and distance from the movies for another prospective audience.
My problem with any of the illustrated editions that we have seen is really that the original Tolkien illustrations (black and white, colour and retrospectively coloured) are just so "right" for the work. Maybe it is because they were the ones I saw as a child, but I think it is more than that.
Now what I would love to see is an illustrated LoTR done in the style of the colour and B/W illustrations of the Hobbit. That would be worth my money!
If we saw any mainstream Tolkien book illustrated by Ruth Lacon, I would have to take Christopher Tolkien's stance (on the movies) and look away in despair...
Abrupt change of topic:
The Early English Text Society will reissue The English Text of the Ancrene Riwle (i.e., Ancrene Wisse) in paperback on 20 June 2013:
http://www.boydellandbrewer.com/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=14248
(I just bought a nice copy of the 1962 original edition, for 20 GBP! )
The Early English Text Society will reissue The English Text of the Ancrene Riwle (i.e., Ancrene Wisse) in paperback on 20 June 2013:
http://www.boydellandbrewer.com/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=14248
(I just bought a nice copy of the 1962 original edition, for 20 GBP! )
7 Jun, 2013
(edited)
2013-6-7 9:01:06 PM UTC
Edited by Trotter on 2013-6-8 11:38:18 AM UTC
Edited by Trotter on 2013-6-8 11:39:32 AM UTC
Edited by Trotter on 2013-6-8 11:41:37 AM UTC
Edited by Trotter on 2013-6-8 11:47:41 AM UTC
Edited by Trotter on 2013-6-8 11:39:32 AM UTC
Edited by Trotter on 2013-6-8 11:41:37 AM UTC
Edited by Trotter on 2013-6-8 11:47:41 AM UTC
2013-6-7 9:01:06 PM UTC
Tolkien.co.uk now seems to be listing a new three volume hardback collector's edition of LOTR, due out in October. It appears to match the recent Hobbit collector's edition, and is similarly described as a 'film tie-in', although I struggle to see why.
http://www.tolkien.co.uk/titles/83582 ... r-r-tolkien-9780007522903
http://www.tolkien.co.uk/titles/83583 ... r-r-tolkien-9780007522910
http://www.tolkien.co.uk/titles/83584 ... r-r-tolkien-9780007522927
http://www.tolkien.co.uk/titles/79488 ... r-r-tolkien-9780007487301
EDIT: Added pictures and link to the location on tolkien.co.uk Trotter
http://www.tolkien.co.uk/titles/83582 ... r-r-tolkien-9780007522903
http://www.tolkien.co.uk/titles/83583 ... r-r-tolkien-9780007522910
http://www.tolkien.co.uk/titles/83584 ... r-r-tolkien-9780007522927
http://www.tolkien.co.uk/titles/79488 ... r-r-tolkien-9780007487301
EDIT: Added pictures and link to the location on tolkien.co.uk Trotter
Turambar wrote:
Tolkien.co.uk now seems to be listing a new three volume hardback collector's edition of LOTR, due out in October. It appears to match the recent Hobbit collector's edition, and is similarly described as a 'film tie-in', although I struggle to see why.
Yes, I saw those the other day and thought the same thing about the "tie-in" not seeming to make much sense as there is no movie branding. I also thought "I wonder if the Book People will have a version with a Dust Jacket?"...
Stu wrote:
"I wonder if the Book People will have a version with a Dust Jacket?"...
I will make inquiries with HarperCollins, I like the book covers
Trotter wrote:
Stu wrote:
"I wonder if the Book People will have a version with a Dust Jacket?"...
I will make inquiries with HarperCollins, I like the book covers
Good Man!
I agree that they look nice - I just have to pretend that I haven't seen the words "Film Tie In" anywhere as I very specifically don't collect any of the books with movie covers (as they have all previously looked horrible).
With these new ones, I'd definitely like them with the DJ if they do produce any.
I have had a response from HarperCollins.
The Book People asked for permission to print The Hobbit with a Dust Jacket, which was given. If they sell the Lord of the Rings books then these will also be allowed to have Dust Jackets, but they have not taken up these books for the autumn range.
I was also told that the book colours have changed from the pictures on tolkien.co.uk
The Fellowship of the Ring is green, The Two Towers is burgundy and the Return of the King is the same blue. This is make sure the books in the series have different colours.
The Book People asked for permission to print The Hobbit with a Dust Jacket, which was given. If they sell the Lord of the Rings books then these will also be allowed to have Dust Jackets, but they have not taken up these books for the autumn range.
I was also told that the book colours have changed from the pictures on tolkien.co.uk
The Fellowship of the Ring is green, The Two Towers is burgundy and the Return of the King is the same blue. This is make sure the books in the series have different colours.
Another two new books, the first of which I have asked HarperCollins on a few occasions to print (I doubt if that had any impact on it actually being printed )
I'd like to see the cover for the pocket Farmer Giles of Ham, as I am very impressed with the cover for the pocket edition of Roverandom which is out shortly.
Unfinished Tales (Deluxe Slipcase Edition)
J. R. R. Tolkien
Pub Date: 05 December 2013
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 978-0-00-754292-5
RRP £60
Classic hardback edition of this fascinating collection of stories, featuring Tolkien’s own painting of the dragon Glaurung on the cover, which continues the tales of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion and contains an alternative version of The Children of Hurin.
http://www.tolkien.co.uk/titles/86506 ... r-r-tolkien-9780007542925
Farmer Giles of Ham
J. R. R. Tolkien
Pub Date: 27 February 2014
Format: Hardback Pocket edition
ISBN: 978-0-00-754293-2
RRP £8.99
A commemorative golden anniversary edition of Tolkien’s classic book, including a new introduction, a map, a copy of Tolkien’s unpublished short story which he expanded for publication, his notes for an aborted sequel, and the original first edition illustrations by Pauline Baynes.
http://www.tolkien.co.uk/titles/86509 ... r-r-tolkien-9780007542932
I'd like to see the cover for the pocket Farmer Giles of Ham, as I am very impressed with the cover for the pocket edition of Roverandom which is out shortly.
Unfinished Tales (Deluxe Slipcase Edition)
J. R. R. Tolkien
Pub Date: 05 December 2013
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 978-0-00-754292-5
RRP £60
Classic hardback edition of this fascinating collection of stories, featuring Tolkien’s own painting of the dragon Glaurung on the cover, which continues the tales of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion and contains an alternative version of The Children of Hurin.
http://www.tolkien.co.uk/titles/86506 ... r-r-tolkien-9780007542925
Farmer Giles of Ham
J. R. R. Tolkien
Pub Date: 27 February 2014
Format: Hardback Pocket edition
ISBN: 978-0-00-754293-2
RRP £8.99
A commemorative golden anniversary edition of Tolkien’s classic book, including a new introduction, a map, a copy of Tolkien’s unpublished short story which he expanded for publication, his notes for an aborted sequel, and the original first edition illustrations by Pauline Baynes.
http://www.tolkien.co.uk/titles/86509 ... r-r-tolkien-9780007542932
Trotter wrote:
Another two new books, the first of which I have asked HarperCollins on a few occasions to print (I doubt if that had any impact on it actually being printed )
I'd like to see the cover for the pocket Farmer Giles of Ham, as I am very impressed with the cover for the pocket edition of Roverandom which is out shortly.
Unfinished Tales (Deluxe Slipcase Edition)
J. R. R. Tolkien
Pub Date: 05 December 2013
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 978-0-00-754292-5
Classic hardback edition of this fascinating collection of stories, featuring Tolkien’s own painting of the dragon Glaurung on the cover, which continues the tales of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion and contains an alternative version of The Children of Hurin.
http://www.tolkien.co.uk/titles/86506 ... r-r-tolkien-9780007542925
Farmer Giles of Ham
J. R. R. Tolkien
Pub Date: 27 February 2014
Format: Hardback Pocket edition
ISBN: 978-0-00-754293-2
A commemorative golden anniversary edition of Tolkien’s classic book, including a new introduction, a map, a copy of Tolkien’s unpublished short story which he expanded for publication, his notes for an aborted sequel, and the original first edition illustrations by Pauline Baynes.
http://www.tolkien.co.uk/titles/86509 ... r-r-tolkien-9780007542932
Ahh, great news re the Unfinished Tales. I'd been hoping for that one!